Gio Reyna, who just yesterday felt like that blue-chip teenager walking into his first national team camp, is now 23 years old. The guy we watched rise through the ranks is a proven international player, a two-time World Cup veteran, and he’s suddenly one of the most crucial guiding forces for the next generation of American stars on this wild, inexperienced USMNT roster. Talk about a huge responsibility!
The Kids Are Alright, And The Vets Are Guiding Them
This Stars and Stripes squad is *seriously* young. The average age in that locker room is under 23, more than four years younger than their 2026 FIFA World Cup group. Reyna, who’s already played for four clubs across Germany, England, and France, with a wife and a baby on the way, is stepping into a new mentor role. He’s helping guys like Cavan Sullivan and Neil Pierre, who are just starting their national team journeys. It’s a massive shift. Even with all that experience, Reyna is humble, telling reporters, “I’m still very young, still have a lot to prove to myself and to other people.” He’s one of 13 World Cup veterans on this 28-player roster; their job clear: show the young guns what it takes.
From Fringe Player to Grizzled Pro: The Sebastian Berhalter Story Hits Different
Another veteran stepping into that expanded role is Sebastian Berhalter. Just a year ago, this dude played only seven times for his country and was far from a lock for coach Mauricio Pochettino’s World Cup squad. But he fought, he clawed, and secured his spot! Berhalter went on to appear in all five US matches during the tournament, even netting a goal in that tough 3-2 group stage loss to Türkiye. Now, at just 25, he’s practically a “grizzled pro” in a room full of teenagers and early-20s talent. He knows the grind. “I’ve only been part of the team for a year now, which is crazy, but it’s good,” Berhalter said. “For us, it’s about our individual performances…and then also showing everyone around us what it takes.” Miles Robinson, 29, who featured in one World Cup game this summer, backs that up. He said these young players are “very professional,” “very mature for being 16, 18, 20 years old,” with an “understanding of the game.” He loves that they “want to learn and get better and grow and develop,” which, let’s be real, is the only mindset you can have.
This exciting new-look squad is just getting started with four home exhibition games against Peru, Chile, Mexico, and Canada , their first set of matches since the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Coach Pochettino has only run two training sessions, and they don’t even have the full crew yet, with experienced center backs Chris Richards and Auston Trusty joining later this week. But the early buzz is good, and this camp wraps up with the Canada match in St. Paul, Minnesota, on October 6. Get ready to watch these guys gel and write the next chapter, because the future of American soccer is officially here!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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